The Jackson EMC Foundation Board of Directors awarded $87,998 in grants during the August meeting, including $76,800 to organizations and $11,198 to individuals. Two agencies serving Hall County residents received $21,800. They were:

Elachee Nature Science Center, FAITH's Power House for Kids, Feed the Hungry Forsyth, Habitat for Humanity of Northeast Georgia, Hall-Dawson CASA Program and Rainbow Children's Home are this year's recipients of the North Georgia Community Foundation Impact Grants.

Financial adviser Brian Byars, Founder of Advanced Retirement Planning, recently received an honorable mention in Financial Planning Magazine's Pro Bono Awards. The annual awards program, conducted in partnership with the Foundation for Financial Planning, recognizes the community service of advisers across the country.

The Holbrook of Lake Lanier Independent Living community hosted Paws for a Cause in partnership with Humane Society recently with a fashion show featuring animals from the Humane Society of Northeast Georgia, a silent auction, followed by a luncheon.

On Saturday, Sept. 28, the Gainesville High School Big Red Machine Marching Band competed against 16 other bands in the Wolverine Classic at West Forsyth High School. Following are each section's results and rankings: